My name is Ray and I am the Administrator of a forum where security is very important.

I want to make it so when a viewer clicks the ''Members Area'' link on my website, they are directed to a registration page/form in the first instance and not to the forum itself, where - although not being able to post/ reply to posts within any categories until they have registered - they can see the see the entire site and read all posts made therein.

It is very important that all new users be registered before they gain access to the forum area which has to be strictly members only.

After a new user applies for registration, I need it so I as administrator must send them an individual user unique password for access. They can choose their own personal user id. The parameters for admin email notification have been set but these are not getting to me. I have had reports that two genuine future users have been able to access the full forum without the aforementioned and much needed procedure. I have seen and have had to follow this procedure on other forums.

Also, despite researching the FAQ's, I cannot see the described 'Activate' button by new members' name. They are already shown as Active.

Thank you for the speedy reply - I have gone through the comprehensive information you sent me and I think - hope - I have done it all correct.

Re the account activation. Yes, I did set that thus:

Members

Default automatic login status : Yes No

New accounts activation : No activation UserAdmin

Confirmation code : YesNo

Send notify e-mail on new user registrations : None ModeratorAdmin

Allow new members : Yes No

Allow members to unsubscribe : Yes No

Time in minutes before a member is considered "Offline" : Limit = 60

Allow guests to vote : Yes No

Colorize usernames : Yes No

but two members of the organisation went straight in - before that was I reset the permissions - and was able to view all categories. One signed up and is shown as ''Active''; but I did not receive an email about it and do not see any button to activate his membership.

Hopefully though the next user to register will trigger an email and I have to activate his membership.